How do I create a mapping symbol using MS clip art? and is there a way to add/change color and
scale?

Thank you.

Mapping Center Answer:

I tried this in Word, and it worked. Here are the basics:

1. In a new Microsoft Word document Insert the clip art object that comes closest to what you want work with. If you need to make changes to the symbol, you must do so in Word—ArcMap will not be able to edit anything you paste into it. Here are some of what I found useful for editing clip art in Word:

a. To edit the object, right-click on it and choose Edit Picture.
b. I found it was easier to work with the objects if I enlarged the crop box (click and drag the heavy black handles.
c. Once you select the object you want to change the color of, then you can right-click on it and choose Format Autoshape to get to its display properties.

2. Once you have the object looking the way you really want it in Word. Select the whole object (I use the white select tool on the Draw toolbar), then right-click on it and choose copy.

a. That will paste into an ArcMap layout as is.
b. If you want to make a marker symbol out of it. Do the following:

i. I set my layout to have a size of 3” x 3” (it’s a habit and seems to work consistently for roughly square or circular shaped art.)
ii. Move the data frame so it is no longer covering any portion of the layout page.
iii. Paste the artwork and resize it so it fits nicely on the page; nearly as large as the page without extending beyond the page
iv. Export the to EMF.
v. That EMF file can be used to create a picture marker symbol, which you can use as the basis for graduated symbols display, or just in general for unique values displays.

In your final point you say that the emf file can be used to create a picture marker symbol. I'd like to do this. Can you let me know what the next steps would be so that I can create a picture marker symbol from my emf file?